Seat edge reinforcer

ABSTRACT

A reinforcer for the edge of a seat has a flexible panel with inner and outer perimeters and tighteners secured to the inner and outer perimeters. The inner and outer perimeters define an opening through which the sitting surface of the seat is accessible. The flexible panel sized and configured to encircle the edge of the seat. The tighteners constrict each perimeter about the seat edge, holding the reinforcer in place upon the edge of the seat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A common problem with seating on outdoor maintenance equipment is thatthe edge of the seats often suffer disproportionate wear to the sittingsurface of the seats. Typically, this is caused by mounting anddismounting from the seat.

Often the seats are made from a foam material covered with a moisturerepellant surface. The material covering the edge of the seats oftensplits, exposing the foam interior. Once the outer covering splits, theseats rapidly become unusable.

Conventionally, when the edge of the seat cover splits, the seats wouldbe replace, often at a high price. In those industries where outdoormaintenance equipment is frequently used in large quantities, such asgolf courses, the cost of replacing seats becomes quite high.

DESCRIPTION OF THF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an orthogonal view of one embodiment of the present inventionseat edge reinforcer, shown partially cut away and installed on a seat.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the seat edge reinforcer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the seat edge reinforcer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the seat edge reinforcer shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THF INVENTION

Illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 are a seat 2 and a reinforcer 4. Seat 2includes an edge 6, a sitting surface 8, and optionally, a supportingsurface 10 for supporting a users back. In FIG. 1, reinforcer 2 is shownpartially cut away to reveal edge 6 of seat 2.

Seat 2 is any seat where it is useful to support the edges 4 to preventwear or deterioration in excess of sitting surface 8. Seat 2 is notlimited to a seat on outdoor maintenance equipment. In one embodiment,reinforcer 4 reduces the wear on edge 6 of seat 2. In an alternateembodiment, reinforcer 4 covers damaged edge 6 of seat 2.

Reinforcer 4 includes a flexible panel 12 and at least one tightener 14.Flexible panel 12 is tailored to fit edge 6 of seat 2 without coveringsifting surface 8 and, optionally, without covering supporting surface10. Flexible panel 12 is as flexible as is suitable for the purpose ofreinforcer 4. In one embodiment, flexible panel 12 is of a durablematerial suitable for reinforcing edge 6 of seat 2.

Flexible panel 12 has inner 16 and outer 18 perimeters. Inner 16 andouter 18 perimeters define an opening 20. Flexible panel 12 is sized andconfigured to encircle edge 6 of seat 2 with sitting surface 8, andoptionally supporting surface 10, of seat 2 accessible through opening20.

Tightener 14 is secured at inner 16 and outer 18 perimeters forconstricting the perimeters 16, 18 about seat edge 6. Constriction ofinner 16 and outer 18 perimeters secures reinforcer 4 onto seat 2. Inone embodiment, tightener 14 is a single tightener 14 secured to bothinner 16 and outer 18 perimeters. In an alternate embodiment, multipletighteners 14 are secured at inner 16 and outer 18 perimeters. In oneembodiment tightener 14 is a drawstring slidably secured at innerperimeter 16, outer perimeter 18, or both perimeters 16, 18. In analternate embodiment, tightener 14 is one or more elastic stripsflexibly secured at inner 16, outer 18 perimeter, or both perimeters 16,18 and configured to constrict perimeters 16, 18.

In one embodiment, tightener 14 is further configured to pass through atleast one hole 22 in sitting surface 8 of seat 2, as best illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. In an alternate embodiment, each tightener 14 isseparated from other tighteners 14.

In one embodiment, reinforcer 4 surrounds only sitting surface 8, whichis accessible through opening 22. In an alternate embodiment, reinforcer4 surrounds both sitting surface 8 and supporting surface 10, which areboth accessible through the opening 22.

The foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Variousalternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in theart without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the presentinvention embraces all such alternatives, modifications, and variancesthat fall within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A reinforcer for the edge of a seat having a sitting surface and asupporting surface for supporting a user's back, the reinforcercomprising: a flexible panel having inner and outer perimeters, theinner and outer perimeters defining an opening against the sittingsurface and the supporting surface, the flexible panel sized andconfigured to encircle the edge of the seat with the sitting surface andthe supporting surface of the seat accessible through the opening; andat least one tightener secured at the inner and outer perimeters forconstricting each perimeter about the seat edge.
 2. The reinforcer ofclaim 1 wherein the at least one tightener includes a single tightenersecured to each of the inner and outer perimeters.
 3. The reinforcer ofclaim 1 wherein the at least one tightener includes at least onetightener secured to each of the inner and outer perimeters.
 4. Thereinforcer of claim 1 wherein each of the at least one tighteners is adrawstring.
 5. The reinforcer of claim 1 wherein each of the at leastone tighteners is an elastic strip.
 6. The reinforcer of claim 1 whereineach of the at least one tighteners secured to the inner perimeter isfurther configured to pass through at least one hole in the sittingsurface of the seat.
 7. The reinforcer of claim 1 wherein the flexiblepanel is a durable material.
 8. (canceled)
 9. A reinforcer for the edgeof a seat having a sitting surface and a supporting surface forsupporting a user's back, the reinforcer comprising: a flexible paneltailored to fit the edge of the seat without covering the sittingsurface or the supporting surface, the flexible panel having an innerand an outer perimeter, wherein the inner perimeter is configure to fitagainst the sitting surface and the supporting surface; and at least onetightener secured at the inner and outer perimeters for constrictingeach perimeter about the seat edge.
 10. The reinforcer of claim 9wherein the at least one tightener includes a single tightener securedto each of the inner and outer perimeters.
 11. The reinforcer of claim 9wherein the at least one tightener includes at least one tightenersecured to each of the inner and outer perimeters.
 12. The reinforcer ofclaim 9 wherein each of the at least one tighteners is a drawstring. 13.The reinforcer of claim 9 wherein each of the at least one tighteners isan elastic strip.
 14. The reinforcer of claim 9 wherein each of the atleast one tighteners secured to the inner perimeter is furtherconfigured to pass through at least one hole in the sitting surface ofthe seat.
 15. The reinforcer of claim 9 wherein the flexible panel is adurable material.
 16. (canceled)